Saturday, September 29, 2007

A Crooked Path-Annette Smith

A Crooked Path
Annette Smith
NAVPRESS, Oct 2007, $12.99
ISBN: 9781576839966

In Mexico, Manny Ortega grew up without a father as his dad abandoned the family. Desperate to care for his family, Manny came to Texas to find work in which he could send money home.

Finally obtaining legal status, Manny gets a job on the cattle ranch of Texan Owen Green. Owen thinks Mexicans are scum and treats Manny as such. However, Manny refuses to give up on his dreams of caring for his family so he puts up with Owen’s crap. However, the relationship between the immigrant employee and his prejudicial gruff employer abruptly changes when Owen's daughter Chaney meets Manny; as they fall in love with one another.

The second Eden Plain romance (see A BIGGER LIFE) stars Manny, who is a sympathetic hard working Mexican immigrant who simply wants to provide a better life for his loved ones back home. However, the more interesting relationship is between the two men that changes from stereotypical scorn by the American to respect and more. Although the ending feels like a gimmick to foster behavioral modification, A CROOKED PATH is a strong relevant look at immigration although fence builders and sitters will be unhappy that many is not a killing terrorist, but simply a caring family man.

Harriet Klausner

No comments: